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(4) Animals: The following requirements apply in regard to animals: (a) Healthy animals which present no apparent threat to the health and safety of the children shall be permitted, provided they are cleaned, properly housed, fed and cared for and have had required vaccinations, as appropriate. Live animals shall be excluded from areas where food for human consumption is stored, prepared or served. (b) Animals shall not be permitted if a child in the room or area is allergic to the specific type of animal. (c) Animal litter and waste shall not be accessible to children. (d) Reptiles and rodents shall not be accessible to children. (e) Children and adults shall wash their hands after touching animals. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 29, Issue No. 6, eff June 24, 2005. Amended by SCSR 42–6 Doc. No. 4747, eff June 22, 2018. 114–508. Meal Requirements; Food Preparation and Serving; Storage and Protection of Food Supplies, Utensils and Equipment. A. Meal requirements (1) If food is provided by the facility, the following requirements shall be met: (a) Daily menus shall be dated and posted in a conspicuous location in public view. (b) Meals and snacks provided shall be in compliance with the USDA Child Care Food Program Guidelines. Centers that do not provide overnight care shall serve at least one meal and at least one snack that meet USDA Child Care Food Program Guidelines. Centers providing care between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and midnight shall additionally meet USDA Child Care Food Program Guidelines in serving dinner and at least one additional snack. Meal components and serving sizes shall be in accordance with these guidelines. (c) Only Grade A pasteurized fluid milk and fluid milk products may be given to any child less than 24 months old, except with a written permission from the child’s health provider. (d) Whole milk may not be served to children less than 12 months of age, except with a written permission from the child’s health provider. (e) Reconstituted milk shall not be served to any child, regardless of age. (2) Food served shall be suited to the child’s age and appetite. Second portions shall be available. (3) Round, firm foods shall not be offered to children younger than four years old. Examples of such foods include: hot dogs, grapes, hard candy, nuts, peanuts, and popcorn. Hot dogs may be served if cut lengthwise and quartered; grapes may be served if cut in halves. (4) All food in child care centers shall be from a source approved by the health authority and shall be clean, wholesome, unspoiled, free from contamination, properly labeled, and safe for human consumption. (5) The use of food in hermetically sealed containers that was not prepared in an approved food- processing establishment is prohibited. (6) The use of home-canned foods is not allowed. (7) The following requirements shall be met when it is necessary to provide meals through a catering service: (a) Catered meals shall be obtained from a food service establishment approved by the DHEC. (b) If adequate cleaning and sanitizing equipment is not available, only disposable eating and drinking utensils shall be used to serve catered meals or food; and (c) The procedures and equipment used to transport catered meals shall be approved by the DHEC. (8) Meals and snacks may be provided by the center or the parent. The center shall have a small supply of nutritional food and beverages available in the event a parent neglects to bring the child’s food on an unanticipated basis.